Spectator

Weekly highlights for arts and entertainment in the Triangle

3 WEDNESDAY Ladies take note -- shoes. Lots of shoes. For charity. At the Give and Take Chic Shoe Affair benefit, both your fashionable feet and N.C. Child Advocacy Institute are better off than they were before. In addition to shoe shopping, a day spa will be present to pamper, and champagne and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Did we mention shoes? 5-7:30 p.m.,SRI Shoe Warehouse, 6031 Oak Forest Rd., Raleigh. 834-6623 (ext 236). $20 advance, $25 door.

5 FRIDAY Nothing says holiday time like shameless self-promotion, and yes, this is shameless self-promotion, but we promise you we're shamelessly promoting a cool event. TheIndependent Weekly 2003 Holiday Bash benefits Peaceful Tomorrows 9/11 Family Members Seeking Alternatives to War. In return, the bash features music by the Countdown Quartet and Emil McGloin with the Stuntnuts, as well as refreshments of the over-21 variety. Fri., Dec. 5, 8 p.m.-midnight. Fancy or shiny dress appreciated. N.C. Museum of Life and Science, 433 W. Murray Ave., Durham. $20. Purchase tickets at Whole Foods around the Triangle.

6 SATURDAY The Triangle's having its first Girevoy Competition. Competitors from around the country are gathering to flex their muscles against kettleballs, a type of Russian weight. It's rugged multicultural fun without any of the we're-learning-about-different-culture hand-holding and hugging. 2 p.m., RDU Wing Chun, 8813 Gulf Ct. Unit G, Raleigh. www.rduwingchun.com for directions and more information. Free.

7 SUNDAY For a more traditional holiday outing, the 17th annual Hillsborough Christmas Candlelight Tour returns, mixing up the holiday homes between new entries and old favorites. If the home decorating doesn't snare you, then the antebellum wedding and reception that are part of the tour will. 1 p.m.-6 p.m., 732-8156, www.candlelightour.com. $12 advance, $15 day of the tour.

8 MONDAY If you checked out any of the Orange County Historical Museum's exhibitions throughout the year and liked them, you have another chance to revisit. This month, a smattering of each month's featured artists has some work on display. Thru Dec. 31, 201 N. Churton St., Hillsborough. 732-2201. Tues.-Sun. 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

9 TUESDAY Playmakers Repertory Company's version of the English classic Hobson's Choice is in full swing, and Tuesday's community night means tickets are cheaper and no assigned seating, so go early and you're assured your seat of choice. Nov. 26-Dec 21, 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. Sundays: Center for Dramatic Art, UNC-Chapel Hill Campus. 962-7529. $10 on Tuesdays.